Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring on the Galleria-area River Oaks District.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring on the...

If you think Westheimer is a shopping mecca now, just wait. More retail is on its way.

At least three new real estate projects are planned or under way along a short stretch of the city's longest street. Others are close by.

Last week, a national developer announced plans to restart a $450 million project it shelved during the recession. River Oaks District will break ground next year at 4444 Westheimer, just inside the 610 Loop.

A major component of the 15-acre development is 270,000 square feet worth of retail. That's as many as 80 stores, says the developer, San Diego-based OliverMcMillan, which plans to break ground next year.

"Westheimer is the address in Houston, particularly for retail," CEO Dene Oliver said.

Indeed, Westheimer is home to arguably the city's nicest shopping destinations: the Galleria and Highland Village.

Between the two

The three new developments - one of which is already under construction - are being built between those established centers.

The Dinerstein Cos. is building Millennium High Street, a $105 million project just east of the River Oaks District site.

The development will have apartments and shops, although the retail space was scaled back to 27,000 square feet, about a quarter of what was originally planned.

Another large complex just over from High Street is proposed.

Over the summer, a real estate investment firm completed a 12-acre assemblage of land at Westheimer and Mid Lane, where it envisions a collection of offices, shops, apartments and a hotel. The company said it planned to sell or lease land to developers who would build the different components.

Watching carefully

The level of development activity reminds retail broker Kenneth Katz of what the local market was experiencing before the economy collapsed.

While the retail market has certainly strengthened, he is keeping a close eye on the new projects.

"Even though the recession is in our rearview mirror, it's not that far behind us," said Katz, of the Baker Katz brokerage firm. "It feels a lot like it did pre-recession when there were a lot of projects in serious stages" of planning or construction.

Other developments in the area are expanding.

BLVD Place at the corner of Post Oak Boulevard and San Felipe is planning its next phase of retail and office space.

And Highland Village seems to be constantly upgrading its facilities and tweaking its tenant mix. The old Tootsies building, for example, is being renovated for new tenants.

The center is one of the best-leased properties in the city, which gives Oliver confidence about filling his project, which will also have office space and housing.

"If you want to open a shop at Highland Village, there's really not space for you," he said. "If you want to go to the Galleria and want a prime location, they're not available."

"There's no question we're in a very proven retail corridor," he added.

Oliver said he has already secured a number of tenants for River Oaks District. Many are luxury brands that don't have their own local stores.

'A ton of money'

Generally, real estate brokers say, retailers are back in expansion mode. Houston is a target because of its economy.

"Houston is the energy capital of the world," said Matt Keener, a senior vice president in retail services with CBRE. "There's a ton of money."